Apang Tertön
Apang Tertön (Wyl. a paM gter ston) aka Apang Terchen, Pawo Chöying Dorje (dpa' bo chos dbyings rdo rje), Lhachen Tobgyal or Orgyen Trinlé Lingpa (o rgyan phrin las gling pa) (1895-1945) — was a great tertön whose body could pass through solid objects and who discovered many terma teachings, and and one of Dudjom Lingpa's miraculously conceived sons.
Birth & Family
According to oral tradition, Apang Tertön’s conception was miraculous. Through the concentration of Dudjom Lingpa’s wisdom mind, the child was conceived from afar in his mother’s womb, who happened to be a nun with pure vows.
Apang Tertön was considered to be the reincarnation of Rigdzin Gödem and of Zhichen Tulku Rinpoche.
Training
At age eight, Apang Tertön was taken to Katok Monastery and enthroned as the reincarnation of Zhichen Tulku Rinpoche.
Activity
Apang Tertön came from Golok and his practices spread throughout Tibet. The main holder of his teachings was his daughter Tare Lhamo (1938-2003), as well as his three sons; the custodian of his termas was Changchub Dorje. He was also a root guru of Dodrupchen Rinpoche.
Reincarnation
Apang Tertön’s death was as extraordinary as his conception. Announcing his intention to help the Sakya lineage, he passed away deliberately and reincarnated as Sakya Trizin, the current head of the Sakya tradition.
Further Reading
- Nyoshul Khenpo, A Marvelous Garland of Rare Gems: Biographies of Masters of Awareness in the Dzogchen Lineage, Padma Publications, 2005, pages 488-491.
